July 9, the Feast Day of Our Lady of the Atonement, holds a special place in the hearts of our community. This year’s Mass and celebration were made even more meaningful when the Sisters of the Atonement presented the Friars with special historical gifts from their archives honoring the 125th anniversary of the order.
The Sisters presented the gifts during a beautiful Mass at the Sisters Convent with Vicar General Dennis Polanco presiding. The chapel swelled with the singing of “Our Lady of the Atonement.” Then participants listened to the first reading from Judith 12:22-25, the second reading from Acts 1:12-14 and the Gospel from John 17:11-13
After the Scripture reading, the Sisters presented the Friars with items honoring the order and our founding father, Servant of God Paul Fr. Paul Wattson, SA:
- The linen cloth that bound Fr. Paul’s hands and the vestments he wore during his ordination on June 16, 1910, at St. Joseph’s Seminary Dunwoodie in Yonkers, New York
- The red vestments given to Fr. Paul by his mother and worn by him for his first Mass as a Catholic priest on June 17, 1910
- The symbol of Fr. Paul’s habit, which he wore to Rome.
- The chalice Fr. Paul used at Our Lady of Angels Convent Chapel
“Our sincere gratitude to our archivists who over the years have preserved and helped us to celebrate our history,” commented Sr. Diane Bernier, SA, Minister General of the Sisters.
The Mass and ceremony were a time to celebrate 125 years of the Atonement, while also recognizing the future represented in the Friars’ new General Council:
- Minister General – Fr. Emil Tomaskovic, SA
- Vicar General – Fr. Dennis Polanco, SA
- Second General Councilor – Fr. Jan Janoszka, SA
- Third General Councilor – Br. Paolo Nicosia, SA
- Fourth General Councilor – Fr. Ken Cienik, SA
